Therapeutic agent for cerebral infarction

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a novel therapeutic drug for cerebral infarction, which contains a piperazine compound as an active ingredient. 
     The compound of the present invention can be provided as a novel therapeutic drug for cerebral infarction having an effect of suppressing brain injury volume or improving neurological deficit, since it suppresses production of plural inflammatory cytokines and chemokines present in the brain such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP-1 and the like.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a novel therapeutic drug for cerebralinfarction.

BACKGROUND ART

The pathology of cerebral ischemia is divided into the hyperacute stage(about 3 hours from the onset) and the acute stage (about 2 weeks fromthe onset). The cerebral ischemic neuronal cell death is known to relateto excitatory amino acid toxicity and free radical. In the excitatoryamino acid toxicity, a cellular disorder is developed in the hyperacutestage due to calcium influx associated with release of glutamic acidcaused by energy disorders and binding of the acid to its receptor, andinflammation reaction occurs in the acute stage (non-patent document 1).As for free radical, its increase or hypoxic condition inducesexpression of an inflammatory gene (proinflammatroy gene) via productionof a transcription factor such as transcription Nuclear factor KB(hereinafter NF-κB), Hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1(hereinafter HIF-1), Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(hereinafter STAT3) and the like (non-patent document 2). Through thesemechanisms, inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α(hereinafter TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (hereinafter IL-1β), interleukin-6(hereinafter IL-6) and the like are produced. These cytokines areconsidered to advance symptoms such as brain edema and inflammatory cellinfiltration, and encourage neurological deficit.

At present, as a drug showing neuroprotection against ischemia, onlyEdaravon that traps free radical (hydroxy radical) can be mentioned,which is used for treating cerebral infarction (atherothrombotic braininfarction, lacunar infarction, cardioembolic stroke). On the otherhand, although ion channel (Ca²⁺, Na⁺) inhibitors and glutamic acidreceptor inhibitors suppress cerebral infarction in animal experiments,they fail to show effect in clinical trials. Therefore, aneuroprotective agent having novel action mechanisms such as suppressionof neuroinflammation and the like, which protects cerebral neuronalcells and suppresses enlargement of ischemic region is expected.

As for the suppression of inflammatory cytokine that has been reportedto act neurotoxically in cerebral ischemic pathology, for example, whentopical cerebral ischemic disorder of rat is aggravated by theadministration of TNF-α in animal experiments, the cerebral ischemicdisorder can be alleviated by a intraventricular administration of aTNF-α antibody (non-patent document 3). Moreover, it has been reportedthat DPH-067517, a TNF-α converting enzyme inhibitor, suppresses TNF-αexpression on the cerebral infarction side and reduces neurologicaldeficit and cerebral infarct volume in rat cerebral infarction model(non-patent document 4). In addition, a report has documented thatinjection of recombinant IL-1β into rat cerebral ventricle increases thecerebral infarction (non-patent document 5), and moreover, a cerebralischemic disorder alleviating action by the administration of an IL-1βreceptor antagonist (recombinant IL-1ra) is shown (non-patent document6). In the clinical trial (Phase II), moreover, a cerebral ischemicdisorder alleviating effect by administration of recombinant IL-1ra hasbeen reported (non-patent document 7). However, there has been no reportheretofore on a low-molecular-weight compound having a direct action onthe IL-1β molecule per se, and the above-mentioned DPH-067517 cannotsuppress the IL-1β expression on the cerebral infarction side.

As mentioned above, while many reports relating to individualinflammatory cytokines and cerebral infarction have been made, theeffect thereof is not sufficient.

As a compound that inhibits TNF-α, the present inventors have foundpiperazine compounds having the properties shown in patent documents 1and 2. Patent document 1 describes that the compound is effective forvarious diseases associated with various abnormalities in TNF-αproduction, TNF-α mediated diseases or diseases treatable withinterleukin 10 (IL-10) (transplantation, osteoporosis, myocardialinfarction, chronic cardiac failure, cardiac failure,ischemia-reperfusion injury and the like), and patent document 2describes that the compound is effective for nonviral hepatitis.Moreover, non-patent documents 8 and 9 report that the compound iseffective for hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis models since thecompound suppresses production of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-12and promotes production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. However,the effectiveness of the compound for cerebral infarction and itstreatment effect on cerebral infarction are not described or suggested.

-   patent document 1: WO99/19301-   patent document 2: WO2005/103013-   non-patent document 1: Dirnagl, U. et al., Trends. Neurosci., 22,    391-397 (1999)-   non-patent document 2: Dirnagl, U. et al., Trends. Neurosci., 26,    248-254 (2003)-   non-patent document 3: Barone, F. C. et al., Stroke, 28, 1223-1244    (1997)-   non-patent document 4: Wang, X., et al., Molecular Pharmacology, 65,    890-896 (2004)-   non-patent document 5: Yamazaki, Y. et al., Stroke, 26, 676-681    (1995)-   non-patent document 6: Betz, A. L. et al., J. Cereb. Blood Flow    Metab., 15, 547-551 (1995)-   non-patent document 7: Emsley, H. C. A. et al., J. Neurol.    Neurosurg. Psych., 76, 1366-1372 (2005)-   non-patent document 8: Fukuda, T. et al., J. Pharmacy Pharmacol.,    57, 1-6 (2005)-   non-patent document 9: Hisadome, M. et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol., 497,    351-359 (2004)

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present inventors have found that a certain kind of piperazinecompound can be provided as a novel therapeutic drug for cerebralinfarction by measuring brain injury volume of monkey middle cerebralartery permanent occlusion model by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging(Magnetic resonance imaging, hereinafter MRI) in the same manner as inclinical measurements and determining the details of neurologicalfunction (higher brain function), which resulted in the completion ofthe present invention. They have also found that the present compoundsuppresses not only inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-12 andinterferon γ (hereinafter IFN-γ), but also cytokines and chemokines suchas IL-1β, IL-6 and monocyte chemotactic factor (Monocyte chemotacticprotein-1, hereinafter MPC-1) and the like. They have further confirmedthat the present compound suppresses plural cytokines and chemokinespresent in the brain such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MPC-1 and the like.

Means of Solving the Problems

Accordingly, the gist of the present invention is as follows.

[1] An agent for treating cerebral infarction, comprising a piperazinecompound represented by the formula <1>

wherein

R¹ and R² are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen, loweralkyl, lower alkoxy, amino, amino which is mono- or di-substituted bygroup(s) selected from lower alkyl and lower acyl, nitro, hydroxy orcyano,

-   -   R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen,        halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino, amino which is        mono- or di-substituted by group(s) selected from lower alkyl        and lower acyl, hydroxy or cyano,    -   R⁶ and R⁷ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, lower        alkyl, lower alkyl substituted by 1 to 3 halogens, aralkyl, acyl        or lower acyl substituted by 1 to 3 halogens,    -   R⁸, R⁹ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or lower        alkyl,    -   R^(a)-R^(d) are the same or different and each is hydrogen,        lower alkyl, aralkyl or hydroxy lower alkyl, or any two of        R^(a)-R^(d) are bonded to each other to form alkylene having a        carbon number of 1 or 2,

Y is a group represented by the formula

wherein

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or loweralkyl,

-   -   R¹² and R¹³ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or        lower alkyl, or R¹² and R¹³ are groups that form alkylene in        combination,    -   R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or        lower alkyl, and    -   m is an integer of 0-2, n is an integer of 0-2 and 0≦m+n≦2,    -   ring A is phenyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyradyl        pyrazinyl or imidazolyl, and    -   ring B is phenyl, pyridyl or thienyl        (hereinafter sometimes to be indicated as the compound of the        present invention <1>) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt        thereof as an active ingredient.        [2] The agent of [1], wherein the active ingredient is a        compound of the formula <1> wherein the ring B is phenyl, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.        [3] The agent of [2], wherein the active ingredient is a        compound of the formula <1> wherein

R¹ and R² are hydrogen,

R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen orlower alkoxy,

R⁶ and R⁷ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or acyl,

R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or lower alkyl,

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are hydrogen,

R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are hydrogen,

R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are each hydrogen, or any two are bondedto each other to form alkylene having a carbon number of 1 and othergroups are hydrogen,

-   -   ring A is phenyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl or pyridyl, and    -   ring B is phenyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.        [4] The agent of [2] above, wherein the active ingredient is at        least one selected from the following compounds:

-   N-{4-[(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenylmethyl}acetamide,

-   N-(4-{[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenylmethyl)acetamide,

-   N-(4-{[4-(2-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenylmethyl)acetamide,

-   N-(4-{[4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenylmethyl)acetamide,

-   N-(2-{4-[(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}ethyl)acetamide,

-   N-[2-(4-{[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)ethyl]acetamide,

-   N-(1-{4-[(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}ethyl)acetamide,

-   N-[1-(4-{[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl]phenyl)ethyl}acetamide,

-   N-[1-(4-{[4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)ethyl]acetamide,

-   N-[1-(4-{[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)-1-methylethyl]acetamide,

-   N-(1-{4-[(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}cyclopropyl)acetamide,

-   N-[1-(4-{[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,    etamide,

-   N-{4-[1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)ethyl]phenylmethyl}acetamide,

-   N-(4-{1-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl}phenylmethyl)acetamide,

-   N-(4-{1-[4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl}phenylmethyl)acetamide,

-   N-(4-{1-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-1-methylethyl}phenylmethyl)acetamide,

-   N-(4-{1-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-1-methylethyl}phenylmethyl)acetamide,

-   N-(1-(4-((4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)phenyl)cyclopropyl)acetamide,    and

-   N-[1-(4-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[5] The agent of [1], wherein the active ingredient is a compound of theformula <1> wherein ring B is pyridyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof

[6] The agent of [5], wherein the active ingredient is a compound of theformula <1> wherein

R¹ and R² are hydrogen,

R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen orlower alkoxy,

R⁶ and R⁷ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or acyl,

R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or lower alkyl,

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are hydrogen,

R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are hydrogen,

R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are each hydrogen, or any two are bondedto each other to form alkylene having a carbon number of 1 group andother groups are each hydrogen,

ring A is phenyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl or pyridyl, and

ring B is pyridyl,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[7] The agent of [5], wherein the active ingredient is at least oneselected from the following compounds:

-   N-(1-{5-[{4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl}methyl]pyridin-2-yl}cyclopropyl)acetamide,    and-   N-[1-(5-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}pyridin-2-yl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[8] The agent of [1], wherein the active ingredient is a compound of theformula <1> wherein R¹² and R¹³ are groups that form alkylene incombination, or a pharmaceutically acceptable alt thereof.

[9] The agent of [8], wherein the active ingredient is at least oneselected from the following compounds:

-   N-(1-{4-[(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}cyclopropyl)acetamide,-   N-[1-(4-{[4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,    etamide,-   N-[1-(4-{1-[4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,-   N-[1-(4-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,-   N-(1-{5-[{4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl}methyl]pyridin-2-yl}cyclopropyl)acetamide,    and-   N-[1-(5-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}pyridin-2-yl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[10] The agent of [2] or [8] above, wherein the active ingredient isN-[1-(4-{1-[4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamideor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[11] The agent of [2] or [8] above, wherein the active ingredient isN-[1-(4-{1-[4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamidehydrochloride.

[12] The agent of [1], wherein the cerebral infarction isatherothrombotic brain infarction, lacunar infarction or cardioembolicstroke.

[13] A piperazine compound represented by the formula <2>

wherein

R¹ and R² are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen, loweralkyl, lower alkoxy, amino, amino which is mono- or di-substituted bygroup(s) selected from lower alkyl and lower acyl, nitro, hydroxy orcyano,

-   -   R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen,        halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino, amino which is        mono- or di-substituted by group(s) selected from lower alkyl        and lower acyl, hydroxy or cyano,    -   R⁶ and R⁷ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, lower        alkyl, lower alkyl substituted by 1 to 3 halogens, aralkyl, acyl        or lower acyl substituted by 1 to 3 halogens,    -   R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or        lower alkyl,    -   R^(a)-R^(d) are the same or different and each is hydrogen,        lower alkyl, aralkyl or hydroxy lower alkyl, or any two of        R^(a)-R^(d) are bonded to each other to form alkylene having a        carbon number of 1-2,

Y is a group represented by the formula

wherein

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or loweralkyl,

R¹² and R¹³ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or loweralkyl, or R12 and R13 are groups that form alkylene in combination,

R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or loweralkyl,

m is an integer of 0-2, n is an integer of 0-2, and 0≦m+n≦2,

ring A is phenyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl orimidazolyl, and

ring B¹ is pyridyl or thienyl,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[14] A piperazine compound represented by the formula <3>

wherein

R¹ and R² are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen, loweralkyl, lower alkoxy, amino, amino which is mono- or di-substituted bygroup(s) selected from lower alkyl and lower acyl, nitro, hydroxy orcyano,

R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen,lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino, amino which is mono- ordi-substituted by group(s) selected from lower alkyl and lower acyl,hydroxy or cyano,

R⁶ and R⁷ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, lower alkyl,lower alkyl substituted by 1 to 3 halogens, aralkyl, acyl or lower acylsubstituted by 1 to 3 halogens,

R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or lower alkyl,

at least one of R^(1a)-R^(1d) is lower alkyl, aralkyl or hydroxy loweralkyl, or any two of R^(1a)-R^(1d) are bonded to each other to formalkylene having a carbon number of 1-2, and other substituents are thesame or different and each is hydrogen, lower alkyl, aralkyl or hydroxylower alkyl,

Y is a group represented by the formula

wherein

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or loweralkyl,

R¹² and R¹³ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or loweralkyl, or R¹² and R¹³ are groups that form alkylene in combination,

R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or loweralkyl,

m is an integer of 0-2, n is an integer of 0-2, and 0≦m+n≦2, and

ring A is phenyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl orimidazolyl,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[15] The piperazine compound of [13], which is represented by theformula <4>

wherein

R¹ and R² are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen, loweralkyl, lower alkoxy, amino, amino which is mono- or di-substituted bygroup(s) selected from lower alkyl and lower acyl, nitro, hydroxy orcyano,

R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen,lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino, amino which is mono- ordi-substituted by group(s) selected from lower alkyl and lower acyl,hydroxy or cyano,

R⁶ is acyl or lower acyl substituted by 1 to 3 halogens, and

R^(a)-R^(d) are the same or different and each is hydrogen, lower alkyl,aralkyl or hydroxy lower alkyl, or any two of R^(a)-R^(d) are bonded toeach other to form alkylene having a carbon number of 1-2,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof

[16] The piperazine compound of [14], which is represented by theformula <5>

wherein

R¹ and R² are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen, loweralkyl, lower alkoxy, amino, amino which is mono- or di-substituted bygroup(s) selected from lower alkyl and lower acyl, nitro, hydroxy orcyano,

R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen,lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino, amino which is mono- ordi-substituted by alkyl and lower acyl, hydroxy or cyano,

R⁶ is acyl or lower acyl substituted by 1 to 3 halogens, and

at least one of R^(1a)-R^(1d) is lower alkyl, aralkyl or hydroxy loweralkyl, or any two of R^(1a)-R^(1d) are bonded to each other to formalkylene having a carbon number of 1-2, and other substituents are thesame or different and each is hydrogen, lower alkyl, aralkyl or hydroxylower alkyl,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[17] The piperazine compound of [14] or [16], which is

selected from

-   N-(1-{4-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}cyclopropyl)acetamide,-   N-[1-(4-{[(3S)-3-methyl-4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,-   N-[1-(4-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,-   N-(1-{4-[{2,5-dimethyl-4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)}piperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}cyclopropyl)acetamide,-   N-[1-(4-{[((2R)-2-methyl-4-(pyrimidin-2-yl))piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide    and-   N-(1-{4-[{(2,6-dimethyl-4-(pyrimidin-2-yl))piperazin-1-yl}methyl]phenyl}cyclopropyl)acetamide,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or the piperazinecompound of [13] or [15], which is selected from

-   N-(1-{5-[{4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl}methyl]pyridin-2-yl}cyclopropyl)acetamide    and-   N-[1-(5-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}pyridin-2-yl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Effect of the Invention

The compounds of the formula <1> are useful as a therapeutic drug forcerebral infarction. These compounds suppress inflammatory cytokines andchemokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1 and the like, whoseproduction is enhanced in the brain. Moreover, these compounds decreasebrain injury volume and improve higher neurological function in monkeymiddle cerebral artery permanent occlusion model.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows intracerebral TNF-α concentration of rat middle cerebralartery occlusion-reperfusion model, wherein “Sham” is a sham operationgroup without occlusion with suture, “Vehicle” is a group that wassubjected to occlusion and administered with saline alone, and “testcompound A” is a test compound A administration group.

FIG. 2 shows intracerebral IL-1β concentration of rat middle cerebralartery occlusion-reperfusion model, wherein each column means the sameas in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows intracerebral IL-6 concentration of rat middle cerebralartery occlusion-reperfusion model, wherein each column means the sameas in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows intracerebral MPC-1 concentration of rat middle cerebralartery occlusion-reperfusion model, wherein each column means the sameas in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows brain injury volume of monkey middle cerebral arterypermanent occlusion model, wherein a black column shows a Vehicle group(0.5% tragacanth alone administration group), and a hatched column showsa test compound A administration group.

FIG. 6 shows scores of neurological function in monkey middle cerebralartery permanent occlusion model, wherein a dotted line graph is aVehicle group (0.5% tragacanth alone administration group) and a solidline graph is a test compound A administration group.

FIG. 7 shows cerebral infarction volume of rat middle cerebral arteryocclusion-reperfusion model, wherein a white column is a Vehicle group(saline alone administration group) and a black column is a testcompound administration group.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is explained in more detail in the following.

The therapeutic drug of the present invention contains a compoundrepresented by the aforementioned formula <1> as an active ingredient.Each symbol in the aforementioned formula <1> means as follows.

The halogen for R¹ or R² is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

The lower alkyl for R¹ or R² is alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4,such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertiarybutyl and the like.

The lower alkoxy for R¹ or R² is alkoxy having a carbon number of 1-4,such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, tertiary butoxyand the like.

In amino for R¹ or R², which is mono- or di-substituted by a groupselected from lower alkyl and lower acyl, lower alkyl as the substituentmeans alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4, such as methyl, ethyl,propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertiary butyl and the like. Thelower acyl as the substituent means lower alkanoyl having a carbonnumber of 1-4, which is lower alkanoyl substituted by loweralkoxycarbonyl or phenyl group, such as formyl, acetyl, propionyl,butyryl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl,isopropoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl, tertiarybutoxycarbonyl, benzoyl, phenylacetyl and phenylpropionyl. Amino mono-or di-substituted by these substituents is methylamino, dimethylamino,ethylamino, diethylamino, propylamino, butylamino, acetylamino,diacetylamino, propionylamino, dipropionylamino, butyrylamino,N-methyl-N-acetylamino, N-ethyl-N-acetylamino,N-methyl-N-propionylamino, methoxycarbonylamino, ethoxycarbonylamino,propoxycarbonylamino, tertiary butoxycarbonylamino, benzoylamino,phenylacetylamino or the like.

The halogen for R³, R⁴ or R⁵ is fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

The lower alkyl for R³, R⁴ or R⁵ is alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4,such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertiarybutyl and the like.

The lower alkoxy for R³, R⁴ or R⁵ is alkoxy having a carbon number of1-4, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, tertiarybutoxy and the like.

In amino for R³, R⁴ or R⁵, which is mono- or di-substituted by a groupselected from lower alkyl and lower acyl, lower alkyl as the substituentmeans alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4, such as methyl, ethyl,propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertiary butyl and the like. Thelower acyl as the substituent means lower alkanoyl having a carbonnumber of 1-4 or lower alkanoyl substituted by lower alkoxycarbonyl orphenyl group, such as formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl,methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl,butoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl, tertiary butoxycarbonyl, benzoyl,phenylacetyl and phenylpropionyl. Amino mono- or di-substituted by thesesubstituents is methylamino, dimethylamino, ethylamino, diethylamino,propylamino, butylamino, acetylamino, diacetylamino, propionylamino,dipropionylamino, butyrylamino, N-methyl-N-acetylamino,N-ethyl-N-acetylamino, N-methyl-N-propionylamino, methoxycarbonylamino,ethoxycarbonylamino, propoxycarbonylamino, tertiary butoxycarbonylamino,benzoylamino, phenylacetylamino or the like.

The lower alkyl for R⁶ or R⁷ is alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4,such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertiarybutyl and the like.

The lower alkyl substituted by 1 to 3 halogens for R⁶ or R⁷ is loweralkyl having a carbon number of 1-4, which is substituted by halogen(fluorine, chlorine, bromine and the like), such as fluoromethyl,trifluoromethyl, chloromethyl, bromomethyl, 2-fluoroethyl,2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 2-chloroethyl, 2-bromoethyl, 3-fluoropropyl,3-chloropropyl, 4-fluorobutyl, 4-chlorobutyl and the like.

The aralkyl for R⁶ or R⁷ is benzyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl andthe like.

The acyl for R⁶ or R⁷ is lower alkanoyl having a carbon number of 1-4 orlower alkylsulfonyl having a carbon number of 1-4, which is substitutedby alkanoyl having a carbon number of 1-5, lower alkoxycarbonyl having acarbon number of 1-4, phenyl group or pyridyl group, such as formyl,acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, valeryl, isovaleryl, trimethylacetyl,methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl,butoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl, tertiary butoxycarbonyl, benzoyl,nicotinoyl, isonicotinoyl, picolinoyl, phenylacetyl, phenylpropionyl,methanesulfonyl and the like.

The lower acyl substituted by 1 to 3 halogens for R⁶ or R⁷ is lower acylhaving a carbon number of 1-4, which is substituted by halogen(fluorine, chlorine, bromine and the like), such as fluoroacetyl,trifluoroacetyl, chloroacetyl, bromoacetyl, 3-chloropropionyl,3-bromopropionyl, 4-chlorobutyryl, 4-bromobutyryl and the like.

The lower alkyl for R⁸ or R⁹ is alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4,such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, secondarybutyl, tertiary butyl and the like.

The lower alkyl for R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) or R^(d) is alkyl having acarbon number of 1-4, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,isobutyl, secondary butyl, tertiary butyl and the like.

The aralkyl for R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) or R^(d) is benzyl, 2-phenylethyl,3-phenylpropyl or the like.

The lower alkyl of hydroxy lower alkyl for R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) or R^(d)is alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl,isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, secondary butyl, tertiary butyl and thelike.

Any two groups of R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) that are bonded to eachother to form alkylene having a carbon number of 1 or 2 are methylene,ethylene and the like.

The lower alkyl for R¹⁰ or R¹¹ is alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4,such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl and the like.

The lower alkyl for R¹² or R¹³ is alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4,such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl and the like.

The groups for R¹² and R¹³ that form alkylene in combination aremethylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene andthe like.

The lower alkyl for R¹⁴ or R¹⁵ is alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4,such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl and the like.

The pyrimidyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl and imidazolyl for ring Aare 2-pyrimidyl, 4-pyrimidyl, 5-pyrimidyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl,5-thiazolyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2 pyrazinyl and2-imidazolyl and the like.

The pyridyl and thienyl for ring B are 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl,2-thienyl, 3-thienyl and the like.

The lower alkyl for R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c) or R^(1d) is alkyl having acarbon number of 1-4, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,isobutyl, secondary butyl, tertiary butyl and the like.

The aralkyl for R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c) or R^(1d) is benzyl,2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl or the like.

The lower alkyl of hydroxy lower alkyl for R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c) orR^(1d) is alkyl having a carbon number of 1-4, such as methyl, ethyl,propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, secondary butyl, tertiary butyland the like.

Any two groups of R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c) and R^(1d) that are bonded toeach other to form alkylene having a carbon number of 1 or 2 aremethylene, ethylene and the like.

Particularly, a compound of the formula <1>, wherein R¹ and R² arehydrogens, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen,halogen or lower alkoxy, R⁶ and R⁷ are the same or different and each ishydrogen or acyl, R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different and each ishydrogen or lower alkyl, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are hydrogens, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ arehydrogen, R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are hydrogens, or any two arebonded to each other to form alkylene having a carbon number of 1 groupand other groups are each hydrogen, ring A is phenyl, pyrimidyl,thiazolyl or pyridyl, and ring B is phenyl or pyridyl, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is preferable.

Particularly desired is the above-mentioned compound wherein R^(a),R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) are each hydrogen, ring B is phenyl, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Examples of the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound <1> ofthe present invention include salts with inorganic acids such ashydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid,nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, salts with organic acids suchas acetic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, benzoic acid, citric acid,succinic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonicacid, benzenesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, 10-camphorsulfonicacid and the like, and the like. In addition, the compound <1> of thepresent invention can be converted to a quaternary ammonium salt. Thecompound <1> of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof may be hydrate (1 hydrate, 1/2 hydrate, 1/4 hydrate, 1/5hydrate, 2 hydrate, 3/2 hydrate, 3/4 hydrate and the like) or solvate.When the compound <1> of the present invention has an asymmetric atom,at least two kinds of optical isomers are present. Such optical isomersand racemates thereof are also encompassed in the present invention.

Examples of preferable specific compound include the compounds describedin [4], [7], [9], [10], [11] and [17] of the above-mentioned gist of thepresent invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Examples of particularly preferable compound includeN-[1-(4-{[4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamideor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,N-[1-(4-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamideor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, andN-(1-{5-[{4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl}methyl]pyridin-2-yl}cyclopropyl)acetamideor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Among these,N-[1-(4-{[4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamidehydrochloride,N-[1-(4-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamidehydrochloride, andN-(1-{5-[{4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl}methyl]pyridin-2-yl}cyclopropyl)acetamidehydrochloride are preferable.

A part of the above-mentioned compounds can be produced according to themethod described in WO99/19301 (hereinafter patent document 1), andspecific Synthetic Examples of the compounds recited above as preferablecompounds are included and can be referred to. They can also besynthesized by the following methods, but the methods are not limitedthereto.

1) Among the compounds of the present invention, compound <1> whereinring B is phenyl and any of R^(a)-R^(d) is hydrogen can be producedaccording to the method described in patent document 1.

Among the compounds of the present invention, compound wherein ring B isphenyl and at least one of R^(a)-R^(d) is other than hydrogen can beproduced, for example, by a method comprising replacing compound III inmethod A described in patent document 1 with compound <5-1> (methodA-a), or a method similar to method K described in patent document 1(method K-a).

(Method A-a)

wherein compound <4> is similar to compound (II) described in patentdocument 1, Lv is a leaving group widely used in the field of organicsynthetic chemistry, such as halogen (fluorine, chlorine, bromine,iodine), methanesulfonyloxy, p-toluenesulfonyloxy ortrifluoromethanesulfonyloxy, P¹ and P² include R⁶ and R⁷ defined above,or an amino-protecting group widely used in the field of organicsynthetic chemistry, such as benzyloxycarbonyl group ortert-butyloxycarbonyl group, P¹ and P² optionally form an imide group(e.g., phthalimide and the like) together with the adjacent nitrogenatom, and other symbols are as defined above, provided that when R³, R⁴,R⁵, R^(1a), R^(1b), R^(1c) and R^(1d) each have a functional group, theymay be protected as necessary.

The condensation reaction of compound <4> and compound <5-1> can beperformed in the same manner as in Method A described in patentdocument 1. As compound <5-1>, a commercially available product is usedor can be synthesized from, for example, commercially availablepiperazine derivative <6-1> according to (Method A-a-1) shown in thefollowing.

(Method A-a-1)

wherein P³ is an amino-protecting group widely used in the field oforganic synthetic chemistry, such as tert-butyloxycarbonyl group andbenzyloxycarbonyl group, Lv¹ is a leaving group widely used in aromaticnucleophilic substitution reaction, halogen (fluorine, chlorine,bromine, iodine), methanesulfonyloxy, p-toluenesulfonyloxy,trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy, benzenesulfophenyl, benzenesulfonyloxy,benzenesulfonyl, azido, aryloxy, alkoxy, alkylthio or amino, and othersymbols are as defined above]

The condensation reaction of compound <6-1> and compound <7> can beperformed in the same manner as in Method K described in patent document1 or a method described in patent document 1 (Method DD), whereincompound (III) is directly obtained from compound (XLII). Deprotectioncan be performed by a general deprotection of amino group described in aliterature, for example, Protective groups in organic synthesis, JohnWilley & Sons, INC. (hereinafter non-patent document 10) and the like.In addition, as compound <6-1>, a commercially available product is usedor can be synthesized by, for example, protecting an amino group of acommercially available piperazine derivative with a suitable protectinggroup by a method described in a literature, for example, non-patentdocument 10 and the like.

(Method K-a)

wherein P⁴ is a hydrogen atom or an amino-protecting group widely usedin the field of organic synthetic chemistry, such astert-butyloxycarbonyl group and benzyloxycarbonyl group, and othersymbols are as defined above.

The condensation reaction of compound <4> and compound <6-2> can beperformed in the same manner as in Method K described in patent document1 or a method in described in patent document 1 (Method DD), whereincompound (III) is directly obtained from compound (XLII). When P⁴ is aprotecting group, deprotection is performed by the method described innon-patent document 10 etc., whereby compound <8> is obtained. Compound<8> is reacted with compound <7> under conditions similar to thosedescribed in patent document 1, Method K, whereby compound <3> isobtained. As compound <6-2>, a commercially available product is used orcan be synthesized by, for example, protecting an amino group of acommercially available piperazine derivative with a suitable protectinggroup by a method described in a literature, for example, non-patentdocument 10 and the like.

2) Among the compounds of the present invention, compound <1> whereinring B is pyridyl or thienyl can be synthesized by, for example, amethod similar to Method A described in patent document 1 (Method A-b).

(Method A-b)

wherein ring B¹ is pyridyl or thienyl, and other symbols are as definedabove.

The condensation reaction of compound <9> and compound <5-2> can beperformed in the same manner as in Method A described in patentdocument 1. Like <5-1>, compound <5-2> may be a commercially availableproduct, or can be synthesized from a commercially available piperazinederivative by a method similar to, for example, (Method A-a-1).

3) Among the compounds of the present invention, compound <1> whereinring B is pyridyl or thienyl, m=n=0, R¹² and R¹³ are groups that formethylene in combination, one of R⁶ and R⁷ is hydrogen and the other isan acetyl group, and R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogens, namely, compound <17> canbe synthesized by, for example, a method similar to Method A describedin patent document 1 after synthesizing compound <16> by the followingmethod.(Method A-b-1)

wherein W is a carboxylic acid derivative mutually easily convertible bya method basically and widely used in the field of organic syntheticchemistry, such as carboxylic acid and carboxylate, P⁵ is ahydroxyl-protecting group widely used in the field of organic syntheticchemistry, such as tert-butyldimethylsilyl group and the like, and othersymbols are as defined above.

Carboxylic acid derivative <10> is reduced by a method similar to MethodL described in patent document 1 to give compound <11>, the hydroxylgroup is protected with a suitable protecting group by the methoddescribed in, for example, non-patent document 10 and the like to givecompound <12>, the cyano group is converted to a 1-aminocyclopropyl-1-ylgroup by the method described in J. Org. Chem. 2002, 67, 3965-3968,Organic Letters 2003, 5(5), 753-755 and the like to give compound <13>,the amino group is acetylated by the method described in, for example,non-patent document 10 or a method similar to Method B1 described inpatent document 1 to give compound <14>, the hydroxyl-protecting groupis removed by the method described in non-patent document 10 etc. togive compound <15>, and the hydroxyl group is converted to leaving groupLv by a method known in the field of organic synthetic chemistry,whereby compound <16> can be obtained. Examples of the method forconverting hydroxyl group to leaving group Lv when the leaving group isa sulfonic acid ester such as methanesulfonyloxy and the like include amethod including reacting alcohol <14> with alkyl or aryl chloride andthe like in a nonaqueous solvent such as methylene chloride,tetrahydrofuran and the like, in the presence of a base such astriethylamine and the like. The reaction of compound <16> with compound<5-2> can be performed in the same manner as in Method A described inpatent document 1.

Compounds other than compound <9> wherein m=n=0 in Y, R¹² and R¹³ aregroups that form ethylene in combination, one of R⁶ and R⁷ is hydrogenand the other is an acetyl group, and R⁸ and R⁹ are hydrogens, can beproduced by combining a method similar to the above-mentioned and aknown method.

As carboxylic acid derivative <10>, a commercially available product isused or can be synthesized from a commercially available halogenatedallylcarboxylic acid derivative by, for example, the following MethodA-b-1-1.

(Method A-b-1-1)

wherein Hal is halogen such as chlorine, bromine, iodine and the like,and other symbols are as defined above.

Compound <18> is cyanated to give <19>. Examples of the cyanation agentused for the cyanation reaction include sodium cyanide, potassiumcyanide, copper cyanide, zinc cyanide, trimethylsilyl cyanide,p-toluenesulfonyl cyanide and the like. To promote the reaction, acombination of a metal salt such as palladium acetate and the like, anda ligand such as triphenylphosphine and the like, or a metal complexsuch as tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium and the like, or a basesuch as N-methylpyrrolidine and the like may be used, or these may beused in combination. Examples of the solvent to be used for thecyanation reaction include lower alcohol such as methanol, ethanol andthe like, acetonitrile, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide,N-methylpyrrolidone and the like and a mixture thereof. The reactiontemperature is generally 0-150° C., and a temperature lower or higherthan this range can be selected as necessary. The reaction time isgenerally within the range of 30 min to 2 days, and a time longer orshorter than this range can be selected as necessary.

The present invention can provide a therapeutic drug for cerebralinfarction containing the above-mentioned compound as an activeingredient. The cerebral infarction includes atherothrombotic cerebralinfarction, lacunar cerebral infarction and cardioembolic cerebralinfarction.

Moreover, the present invention can provide a therapeutic drug fordiseases involving inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1,IL-8, IFN-γ etc.) relating to the brain spinal cord, which contains theabove-mentioned compound as an active ingredient. Examples of thediseases involving inflammatory cytokines relating to the brain andspinal cord include infections such as encephalitis andencephalomyelitis, diseases caused by nerve inflammation of the centralnervous system including autoimmune diseases and other diseases.

When the above-mentioned compounds are used as therapeutic drugs forcerebral infarction and the like, they are formulated as generalpharmaceutical preparations. For example, the above-mentioned compoundis mixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier (excipient, binder,disintegrant, corrigent, flavor, emulsifier, diluent, solubilizer andthe like) and formulated as a resulting pharmaceutical composition or ina form suitable for oral or parenteral preparation such as tablet, pill,powder, granule, capsule, troche, syrup, liquid, emulsion, suspension,injection (liquid, suspension etc.), suppository, inhalant, percutaneousabsorber, eye drop, nasal drop, eye ointment and the like.

When a solid preparation is produced, additives such as sucrose,lactose, cellulose sugar, D-mannitol, maltitol, dextran, starches, agar,arginates, chitins, chitosans, pectins, trangacanths, gum arabics,gelatins, collagens, casein, albumin, calcium phosphate, sorbitol,glycine, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone,hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, glycerol,polyethylene glycol, sodium hydrogen carbonate, magnesium stearate, talcand the like are used. Moreover, tablets can be processed into thosehaving a general coating as necessary, for example, sugar-coated tablet,enteric tablet, film-coated tablet, two-layer tablet and multi-layertablet.

When a semi-solid preparation is produced, animal and plant fats andoils (olive oil, corn oil, castor oil and the like), mineral oils(petrolatum, white petrolatum, solid paraffin and the like), waxes(jojoba oil, carnauba wax, beeswax and the like), partially synthesizedor entirely synthesized glycerol acid esters (lauryl acid, myristicacid, palmitic acid and the like) and the like are used. Examples ofcommercially available products thereof include Witepsol (manufacturedby Dynamid Novel), Pharmasol (manufactured by NOF Corporation) and thelike.

When a liquid preparation is produced, additives such as sodiumchloride, glucose, sorbitol, glycerol, olive oil, propylene glycol,ethyl alcohol and the like can be mentioned. Particularly, when aninjection is produced, aseptic aqueous solutions, for example, saline,isotonic solution and oily liquids such as sesame oil and soybean oilare used. Where necessary, moreover, suitable suspending agents such assodium carboxymethyl cellulose, non-ionic surfactants, solubilizers suchas benzyl benzoate, benzyl alcohol and the like may be used incombination.

Moreover, when an eye drop or a nasal drop is produced, an aqueousliquid or aqueous solution is used and, particularly, an aseptic aqueoussolution for injection can be mentioned. The liquid for eye drop ornasal drop may contain various additives as appropriate, such as buffers(borate buffer, acetate buffer, carbonate buffer and the like arepreferable for reducing stimulation), isotonicity agent, solubilizer,preservative, thickener, chelating agent, pH adjuster (pH is preferablyadjusted to generally about 6-8.5), aromatic and the like.

The amount of the active ingredient in these preparations is 0.1-100 wt%, suitably 1-50 wt %, of the preparation. While the dose variesdepending on the symptom, body weight, age and the like of the patients,for oral administration, it is generally about 0.1-3000 mg per day foran adult, which is preferably administered in one to several portions.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is explained in more detail in the following byreferring to Examples. However, the present invention is not limited tothe following as long as it does not go beyond the gist thereof.

1. Compound Synthesis Example Example 1N-(1-{4-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}cyclopropyl)acetamide

(1) Synthesis of 3,5-dimethylpiperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester

2,6-Dimethylpiperazine (5.71 g) was dissolved in dioxane (150 ml),di-tert-butyl bicarbonate (3.64 g) was added, and the mixture wasstirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent was evaporated, water(50 ml) was added to the residue, and the mixture was extracted withdichloromethane (once with 100 ml and once with 50 ml). The extract waswashed with saturated brine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, andthe solvent was evaporated to give the title compound (3.58 g).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ:1.06 (3H, d, J=6.3 Hz), 1.46 (9H, s), 2.23-2.31 (2H,m), 2.27-2.84 (2H, m), 3.80-4.15 (2H, m).

MS: 214 (M⁺+1)

(2) Synthesis of 3,5-dimethyl-4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester

3,5-Dimethylpiperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (1.676 g) and2-chloropyrimidine (716 mg) were combined, melted in an oil bath at 120°C., and stirred for 5 hr 30 min. Water (10 ml) was added and the mixturewas stirred, extracted with ethyl acetate (30 ml), and washed withsaturated brine. The extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate,and the solvent was evaporated. The obtained residue was purified bycolumn chromatography (Yamazen HI-FLASH™ COLUMN size L, elution solvent:hexane/ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (333 mg).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ:1.25 (6H, d, J=6.9 Hz), 1.51 (9H, s), 2.97-3.08 (2H,m), 3.95-4.16 (2H, m), 4.65-4.82 (2H, m), 6.51 (1H, t, J=4.5 Hz), 8.34(2H, d, J=4.8 Hz).

MS: 237 (M⁺+1 when tert-butyl group was cleaved).

(3) Synthesis of 2-(2,6-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)pyrimidine hydrochloride

3,5-Dimethyl-4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester (294 mg) was dissolved in ethanol (2 ml), 4N hydrochloric acid(ethyl acetate solution, 2 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 4 hr. The solvent was evaporated, and ethyl acetate(3 ml) was added to the obtained residue. The solid insoluble in ethylacetate was collected by filtration and dried to give the title compound(281 mg).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ:1.32 (6H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 3.12-3.43 (4H, m), 4.80-4.98(2H, m), 6.74 (1H, t, J=5.1 Hz), 8.45 (2H, d, J=5.1 Hz), 9.26 (1H, brs),10.02 (1H, brs).

MS: 193 (M⁺+1)

(4) Synthesis ofN-(1-{4-[(3,5-dimethyl-4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}cyclopropyl)acetamide

N-[1-(4-Chloromethylphenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide (22.3 mg) and2-(2,6-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)pyrimidine hydrochloride (265 mg) weredissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (10 mL), potassium carbonate (415 mg)was added and the mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 8 hr. Water (20 mL)was added and the mixture was stirred, extracted with ethyl acetate, anddried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated and theobtained residue was purified by column chromatography (YamazenHI-FLASH™ COLUMN size 2 L, elution solvent: hexane/ethyl acetate) togive the title compound (245 mg).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ:1.20-1.43 (10H, m), 2.01 (3H, s), 2.17-2.26 (2H, m),2.74 (2H, d, J=11.1 Hz), 3.48 and 3.51 (2H, s and s), 4.63-4.69 (2H, m),6.10 (1H, s), 6.43-6.47 (1H, m), 7.10-7.39 (4H, m), 8.32 (1H, d, J=4.8Hz)

MS: 380 (M⁺+1)

Example 2N-[1-(4-{[(3S)-3-methyl-4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide

Using (3S)-1-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-3-methylpiperazine, reactions similarto those in Example 1 (2), (3) were successively performed to give(3S)-3-methyl-4-pyrimidin-2-ylpiperazine hydrochloride, then reactionssimilar to those in Example 1 (4) were successively performed to givethe title compound (216 mg).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ:1.27-1.38 (7H, d and m, J=6.3 Hz), 2.01 (3H, s),2.07-2.21 (2H, m), 2.71 (2H, d, J=11.1 Hz), 2.89 (1H, d, J=10.8 Hz),3.16-3.26 (1H, m), 3.39 (1H, d, J=13.2 Hz), 3.54 (1H, d, J=13.2 Hz),4.44 (1H, d, J=12.9 Hz), 4.81 (1H, brs), 6.69 (1H, s), 6.43-6.47 (1H,m), 7.09-7.34 (4H, m), 8.30 (1H, d, J=4.8 Hz)

MS: 366 (M⁺+1)

Example 3N-[1-(4-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide

Using (1S,4S)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, reactions similar to thosein Example 1 (2), (3) were successively performed to give(1S,4S)-2-pyrimidin-2-yl-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane hydrochloride,then reactions similar to those in Example 1 (4) were performed to givethe title compound (201 mg).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.09 (4H, d, J=2.7 Hz), 1.75 (1H, d, J=9.6 Hz), 1.88(3H, s), 1.90 (1H, d, J=9.6 Hz), 2.44 (1H, d, J=9.6 Hz), 2.83 (1H, dd,J=2.1 Hz, 9.6 Hz), 3.56 (1H, d, J=18.6 Hz), 3.63 (2H, s), 4.71 (1H, s),6.58 (1H, t, J=5.1 Hz), 7.04 (2H, d, J=8.4 Hz), 7.19 (2H, d, J=8.4 Hz),8.31 (2H, d, J=4.8 Hz), 8.51 (1H, s).

MS: 364 (M⁺+1)

Example 4N-(1-{4-[{2,5-dimethyl-4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)}piperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}cyclopropyl)acetamide

Using 2,5-trans-dimethylpiperazine, reactions similar to those inExample 1 (1), (2), (3) were successively performed to give2-(2,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)pyrimidine hydrochloride, then reactionssimilar to those in Example 1 (4) were performed to give the titlecompound (64 mg).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ:0.91 (3H, d, J=6.6 Hz), 1.12 (4H, d, J=5.4 Hz), 1.18(3H, d, J=6.6 Hz), 1.84 (3 Hs), 2.29 (1H, d, J=11.4 Hz), 2.69 (1H, dd,J=4.5 Hz, 12.0 Hz), 3.02 (1H, m), 3.44 (1H, d, J=13.5 Hz), 3.59 (1H, d,J=13.4 Hz), 4.33 (1H, d, J=13.5 Hz), 4.75 (1H, t, J=5.1 Hz), 6.57 (1H,t, J=4.5 Hz), 7.07 (2H, d, J=8.1 Hz), 7.26 (2H, d, J=8.1 Hz), 8.32 (2H,d, J=5.1 Hz), 8.52 (1H, s).

MS: 380 (M⁺+1)

Example 5N-[1-(4-{[((2R)-2-methyl-4-(pyrimidin-2-yl))piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide

(1) Synthesis of(3R)-4-{4-[1-(acetylamino)cyclopropyl]benzyl}-3-methylpiperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester

Reaction and treatment in the same manner as in Example 1 (4) and using(3R)-1-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-3-methylpiperazine (1.00 g) instead of2-(2,6-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)pyrimidine hydrochloride were performed togive the title compound (1.119 g).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ:1.03 (3H, d, J=6.3 Hz), 1.10 (4H, m), 1.38 (9H, s),1.83 (3H, s), 2.00 (1H, n), 2.36 (1H, m), 2.54 (1H, m), 2.89 (1H, m),3.02 (1H, m), 3.15 (1H, d, J=13.2 Hz), 3.42-3.55 (2H, m), 3.83 (1H, d,J=13.2 Hz), 7.05 (2H, d, J=8.1 Hz), 7.17 (2H, d, J=8.1 Hz), 8.52 (1H,s).

MS: 388 (M⁺+1).

(2) Synthesis ofN-[1-4-{[(2R)-methylpiperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl]cyclopropyl]acetamidehydrochloride

(3R)-4-4{4-[1-(Acetylamino)cyclopropyl]benzyl}-3-methylpiperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (1.097 g) was dissolved in ethanol (2 ml), 4Nhydrochloric acid (ethyl acetate solution, 2 ml) was added thereto, andthe mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hr. The solvent wasevaporated to give the title compound (1.11 g).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ:1.17 (4H, m), 1.57 (3H, d, 5.7 Hz), 1.87 (3H, s),3.00-3.60 (7H, m), 4.16 (1H, d, J=12.9 Hz), 4.64 (1H, d, J=12.9 Hz),7.16 (2H, d, J=7.8 Hz), 7.52 (2H, d, J=7.8 Hz), 8.64 (1H, s), 9.84 (2H,brs), 12.33 (1H, brs).

MS: 288 (M⁺+1)

(3) Synthesis ofN-[1-(4-{[((2R)-2-methyl-4-(pyrimidin-2-yl))piperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide

N-[1-4-{[(2R)-Methylpiperazin-1-yl]methyl}phenyl]cyclopropyl]acetamidehydrochloride (532 mg), 2-chloropyrimidine (170 mg) anddiisopropylethylamine (0.75 ml) were heated in an oil bath at 100° C.for 2 hr 10 min. Water (20 ml) was added, and the mixture was extractedwith toluene (20 ml, twice) and ethyl acetate (30 ml, once), and theorganic layer was washed successively with water and saturated brine.The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, the solventwas evaporated, and the obtained residue was purified by columnchromatography (Yamazen HI-FLASH™ COLUMN size L, elution solvent:hexane/ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (196 mg).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ:1.05-1.12 (7H, m), 1.84 (1H, s), 2.06 (1H, m), 2.43(1H, m), 2.62 (1H, m), 3.05 (1H, dd, J=8.7 Hz, 12.9 Hz), 3.13 (1H, d,J=13.2 Hz), 3.20 (1H, m), 3.92 (1H, d, J=13.2 Hz), 4.14 (1H, m), 4.19(1H, m), 6.59 (1H, t, J=4.8 Hz), 7.07 (2H, d, J=8.4 Hz), 7.21 (2H, d,J=8.4 Hz), 8.32 (2H, d, J=4.8 Hz), 8.52 (1H, s).

MS: 366 (M⁺+1)

Example 6N-(1-{4-[{(2,6-dimethyl-4-(pyrimidin-2-yl))piperazin-1-yl}methyl]phenyl}cyclopropyl)acetamide

Using 3,5-dimethylpiperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (1.676g) synthesized in Example 1 (1) and in the same manner as in Example 5(1),4-{4-[1-(acetylamino)cyclopropyl]benzyl}-3,5-dimethylpiperazine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (333 mg) was synthesized, and reactions similar tothose in Example 5 (2), (3) were successively performed to give thetitle compound (230 mg).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.01 (6H, d, J=6.0 Hz), 1.09 (4H, d, J=4.5 Hz), 1.83(3H, s), 2.74 (2H, dd, J=10.5 Hz, 12.6 Hz), 3.28 (2H, d, J=12.9 Hz),3.72 (2H, s), 4.41 (2H, d, J=11.4 Hz), 6.59 (1H, t, J=4.5 Hz), 7.04 (2H,d, J=7.8 Hz), 7.25 (2H, d, J=7.8 Hz), 8.33 (2H, d, J=4.5 Hz), 8.50 (1H,s).

MS: 380 (M⁺+1)

Example 7N-(1-{5-[{4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl}methyl]pyridin-2-yl}cyclopropyl)acetamide

(1) Synthesis of 6-cyanonicotinic acid methyl ester

6-Cyanonicotinic acid (500 mg) was dissolved in dichloromethane (25 ml),water-soluble carbodiimide (776 mg), methanol (0.164 ml) and4-dimethylaminopyridine (49 mg) were added thereto, and the mixture wasstirred for 2 hr 10 min. The reaction mixture was washed successivelywith saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate and saturated brine anddried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated, and theobtained residue was purified by column chromatography (YamazenHI-FLASH™ COLUMN size 2 L, elution solvent: hexane/ethyl acetate) togive the title compound. The same reactions were repeated using6-cyanonicotinic acid (547 mg) to give the title compound (total 951mg).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ:4.01 (3H, s), 7.81 (1H, dd, J=1.2 Hz, 8.1 Hz), 8.45(1H, dd, J=2.4 Hz, 8.1 Hz), 9.30 (1H, t, J=1.2 Hz).

MS: 163 (M⁺+1)

(2) Synthesis of 5-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine-2-carbonitrile

6-Cyanonicotinic acid methyl ester (701 mg) was dissolved in a mixedsolvent of methanol (1 ml) and tetrahydrofuran (7 ml) and sodiumborohydride (197 mg) was added under ice-cooling. The mixture wasdirectly heated to room temperature and stirred overnight. Water (20 ml)was added, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (once with50 ml and once with 30 ml), washed with saturated brine, and dried overanhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated and the obtainedresidue was purified with column chromatography (Yamazen HI-FLASH™COLUMN size 2 L, elution solvent: hexane/ethyl acetate) to give thetitle compound (264 mg).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ:2.09 (1H, m), 4.86 (2H, d, J=5.1 Hz), 7.71 (1H, d,J=8.1 Hz), 7.89 (1H, dd, J=1.8 Hz, 8.1 Hz), 8.70 (1H, s).

MS: 135 (M⁺+1).

(3) Synthesis of5-(tert-butyldimethylsilanyloxymethyl)-pyridine-2-carbonitrile

5-(Hydroxymethyl)pyridine-2-carbonitrile (258 mg) was dissolved indimethylformamide (8 ml), tert-butyl dimethylchlorosilane (347 mg) andimidazole (326 mg) were added, and the mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 1% hr. Water (20 ml) was added and the mixture wasstirred, extracted with ethyl acetate (once with 50 ml and once with 20ml), washed with saturated brine, and dried over anhydrous sodiumsulfate. The solvent was evaporated and the obtained residue waspurified by column chromatography (Yamazen HI-FLASH™ COLUMN size 2 L,elution solvent: hexane/ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (405mg).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ:0.13 (6H, s), 0.95 (9H, s), 4.83 (2H, s), 7.68 (1H, d,J=7.8 Hz), 7.81 (1H, dd, J=1.5 Hz, 7.8 Hz), 8.66 (1H, d, J=1.5 Hz).

MS: 249 (M⁺+1).

(4) Synthesis of1-[5-(tert-butyldimethylsilanyloxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]cyclopropylamine

5-(tert-Butyldimethylsilanyloxymethyl)-pyridine-2-carbonitrile wasdissolved in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml), titanium tetraisopropoxide (0.62ml) was added thereto, and a solution of ethylmagnesium bromide intetrahydrofuran (1 mol/l, 4.83 ml) was added dropwise. The mixture wasstirred for 1 hr 30 min. To the reaction mixture was added 1N aqueoussodium hydroxide solution (6 ml) and tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) was furtheradded, and the mixture was stirred and filtered. The filtrate was washedwith saturated brine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and thesolvent was evaporated. The obtained residue was purified by columnchromatography (Yamazen HI-FLASH™ COLUMN size 2 L, elution solvent:hexane/ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (192 mg).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ:0.10 (6H, s), 0.93 (9H, s), 1.13 (2H, m), 1.26 (2H, m),4.72 (2H, s), 7.31 (2H, d, J=8.1 Hz), 7.58 (2H, d, J=2.1 Hz, 8.1 Hz),8.44 (1H, s).

MS: 280 (M⁺+1).

(5) Synthesis of1-[5-(tert-butyldimethylsilanyloxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]cyclopropylacetamide

1-[5-(tert-Butyldimethylsilanyloxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]cyclopropylamine(190 mg) was dissolved in pyridine (2 ml), acetic anhydride (0.13 ml)and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (17 mg) were added, and the mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 4 hr. Methanol (2 ml) was added and themixture was stirred for about 10 min. The solvent was evaporated, andthe residue was purified by column chromatography (Yamazen HI-FLASH™COLUMN size L, elution solvent: hexane/ethyl acetate) to give the titlecompound (158 mg).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ:0.09 and 0.11 (6H, s), 0.92 and 0.94 (9H, s), 1.24-1.32(2H, m), 1.60-1.76 (2H, m), 1.99, 2.07 (3H, s), 4.73 and 4.76 (2H, s),6.12 and 6.24 (1H, s), 7.29 and 7.44 (2H, d, J=8.1 Hz), 7.56 and 7.61(2H, dd, J=1.8 Hz, 8.1 Hz), 8.40 and 8.44 (1H, d, J=1.5 Hz).

MS: 321 (M⁺+1).

(6) Synthesis ofN-{1-[5-(hydroxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]cyclopropyl}acetamide

1-[5-(tert-Butyldimethylsilanyloxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]cyclopropylacetamide(156 mg) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (2 ml), and a solution (1mol/1, 1.46 ml) of tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran wasadded thereto. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 25 min.The solvent was evaporated and the obtained residue was purified bycolumn chromatography (Yamazen HI-FLASH™ COLUMN size L, elution solvent:ethyl acetate/methanol) to give the title compound (109 mg).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ:1.07 (2H, m), 1.40 (2H, m), 1.90 (3H, s), 4.46 (2H,d, J=5.7 Hz), 5.22 (1H, t, J=5.7 Hz), 7.28 (2H, d, J=8.1 Hz), 7.60 (2H,dd, J=2.1 Hz, 8.1 Hz), 8.33 (1H, d, J=1.8 Hz), 8.62 (1H, s).

MS: 207 (M⁺+1).

(7) Synthesis ofN-(1-{5-[{4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl}methyl]pyridin-2-yl}cyclopropyl)acetamide

N-{1-[5-(Hydroxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]cyclopropyl}acetamide (100 mg) wasdissolved in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml), methanesulfonyl chloride (0.045ml) and triethylamine (0.080 ml) were added thereto and the mixture wasstirred for 2 hr 50 min. Water (10 ml) was added thereto and the mixturewas stirred. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (20 ml,twice), washed successively with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and saturated brine, and dried over anhydrous sodiumsulfate. The solvent was evaporated and the obtained residue wasdissolved in dimethylformamide (2 ml). Potassium carbonate (134 mg) and1-(2-pyrimidyl)piperazine (120 mg) were added, and the mixture washeated in an oil bath at 80° C. for 1 hr. Water (10 ml) was addedthereto and the mixture was stirred, extracted with ethyl acetate (oncewith 30 ml and twice with 20 ml), washed with saturated brine, and driedover anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated and theobtained residue was purified by column chromatography (YamazenHI-FLASH™ COLUMN size L, elution solvent: ethyl acetate/methanol) togive the title compound (63.9 mg).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ:1.08 (2H, dd, J=4.1 Hz, 7.2 Hz), 1.42 (2H, dd, J=4.1Hz, 7.2 Hz), 1.90 (3H, s), 2.40 (4H, t, J=4.7 Hz), 3.48 (2H, s), 3.70(4H, t, H=4.7 Hz), 6.61 (1H, t, J=4.6 Hz), 7.29 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.63(1H, dd, J=2.1 Hz, 8.2 Hz), 8.34 (3H, m), 8.63 (1H, s).

MS: 353 (M⁺+1).

Example 8N-[1-(5-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}pyridin-2-yl)cyclopropyl]acetamide

N-{1-[5-(Hydroxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]cyclopropyl}acetamide (3.13 g) wasdissolved in tetrahydrofuran (150 ml), methanesulfonyl chloride (1.76ml) and triethylamine (4.25 ml) were added thereto and the mixture wasstirred for 1 hr. Water (150 ml) was added thereto and the mixture wasstirred, extracted with ethyl acetate, and dried over anhydrous sodiumsulfate. The solvent was evaporated and diisopropyl ether was added tothe obtained residue to give 3.76 g of a white solid. The white solid(1.16 g) and (1S,4S)-2-pyrimidin-2-yl-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanehydrochloride (2.02 g) were dissolved in dimethylformamide (25 ml),potassium iodide (679 mg) and potassium carbonate (3.84 g) were addedthereto and the mixture was heated in an oil bath at 80° C. for 1.5 hr.The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and ethyl acetatewas added thereto. The precipitated solid was filtered off andconcentrated under reduced pressure and the obtained residue waspurified by column chromatography (silica gel BW-300, elution solvent:chloroform/methanol) to give the title compound (1.05 g).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ:0.95-1.14 (m, 2H), 1.32-1.55 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.82 (m,1H), 1.89 (3H, s), 1.89-1.94 (m, 1H), 2.46 (1H, d, J=9.4 Hz), 2.84 (1H,J=9.5, 0.9, 0.8H, ddd), 3.48 (2H, s), 3.28-3.35 (m, 1H), 3.55 (1H, brs),3.60 (1H, dd, J=10.3, 0.9H), 3.66 (Brs, 2H), 4.72 (1H, s), 6.59 (1H, t,J=4.8 Hz), 7.25 (1H, d, J=8.2 Hz), 7.61 (1H, dd, J=7.9 Hz, 2.1 Hz), 8.34(3H, m), 8.19-8.45 (m, 3H), 8.61 (1H, s).

MS: 365 (M⁺+1).

2. Effect on Cerebral Infarction Model

Test compound A used below was produced according to the methoddescribed in patent document 1, Example 71.

test compound A:N-(1-(4-((4-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)phenyl)cyclopropyl)acetamide•hydrochloride

Pharmacological Experimental Example 1 Action on IntracerebralProduction of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP-1 in Rat Middle Cerebral ArteryOcclusion-Reperfusion Model

The middle cerebral artery of male Wistar rats (Japan Laboratory animalsInc.) was obstructed with suture (silicon-coated nylon thread), and testcompound A (10 mg/kg) dissolved in saline was intravenously administeredin 30 min after occlusion, and middle cerebral artery was reperfused in60 min after administration. In only the rats used for TNF-αmeasurement, test compound A was administered orally. The brain wasisolated at 12 hr after the occlusion (see Koizumi, J. et al., Jpn. J.Stroke, 8, 1-8, 1986). The brain tissue was homogenized, the centrifugedsupernatant was collected and cytokine and chemokine were measured byELISA. Intracerebral TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were measured using anImmunoassay Kit (BIOSOURCE) according to the manufactures' protocol.MCP-1 was measured using an MCP-1 Instant ELISA (Bener MedSystems)according to the manufactures' protocol.

As a result, the concentration of TNF-α, IL-1μ and IL-6, which areintracerebral inflammatory cytokines, and MCP-1, which is chemokine,increased by transient cerebral ischemia [FIG. 1-4]. The test compound Asuppressed each of the increased concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6and MCP-1.

Pharmacological Experimental Example 2 Action on Brain Injury Volume andNeurological Deficit in Monkey Middle Cerebral Artery PermanentOcclusion Model

In monkey middle cerebral artery permanent occlusion model, the braininjury volume was measured by MR¹ (FLAIR method) one day and seven daysafter occlusion. Test compound A (5 mg/kg) dissolved in 0.5% tragacanthwas repeatedly administered orally twice a day for 14 days. As forneurological score, the neurological function was evaluated by scoringthe consciousness, perception, motility and muscular commands.

The middle cerebral artery permanent occlusion was conducted accordingto the method of Furuichi et al. (Furuichi, Y et al., J. Cereb. BloodFlow Metab., 23, 1183-1194, 2003), which is specifically as follows.Macaca fascicularis fasted in advance for 12 hr or longer wasanesthetized by intramuscular administration of ketamine hydrochloride(10 mg/kg), anesthetized by intravenous administration of pentobarbitalsodium (25 mg/kg) and fixed on an operating table. About 5 mm holes weremade near foramen ovale and orbital fissure with a dental drill, duramater and arachnoid mater were incised, and the middle cerebral arterytrunk near the internal carotid artery bifurcation area was exposed. Themiddle cerebral artery trunk near the internal carotid arterybifurcation area was obstructed by electric coagulation to form cerebralinfarction.

Test compound A was orally administered within 1 hr and 6 hr aftermiddle cerebral artery occlusion and within 30 min after feeding in themorning and evening (twice a day) from the next day for 14 days.

In 7 cases for each group, 3 cases from the vehicle group and 2 casesfrom the test compound A group died. Excluding the death cases, theresults reveal that test compound A showed a suppressive action on thespread of the cerebral infarction region both at 1 day and 7 days aftermiddle cerebral artery occlusion [FIG. 5]. In addition, test compound Ashowed a neurological deficit-ameliorating effect [FIG. 6].

Pharmacological Experimental Example 3 Action on Intracerebral CytokineProduction in Mouse

LPS (lipopolysaccharide, derived from E. coli 0111:B4, Sigma, 500 μg/kg)was intraperitoneally administered to male BALB/c mouse (Charles RiverLaboratories Japan). After 90 min after LPS administration, the bloodwas taken under anesthesia, and centrifuged to collect plasma. TNF-α wasmeasured using an Immunoassay Kit (R&D Systems) and IL-10, MCP-1 andIL-6 were measured using an Immunoassay Kit (BIOSOURCE). Test compoundA, the compound synthesized in Example 3 (test compound B) and thecompound synthesized in Example 7 (test compound C) were dissolved insaline, and the mixture was orally administered at 10 mg/kg 30 minbefore LPS administration. The results are shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3.As shown in the Tables, the effect of each test compound on respectiveintracerebral cytokines was calculated as the ratio of each cytokineconcentration in the blood of the group administered with each testcompound to each cytokine concentration in the blood of the group freeof administration of each test compound.

Respective test compounds A, B and C suppressed TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1production in the above-mentioned LPS model mouse and increased IL-10.

TABLE 1 Test TNF-α production IL-10 production compound (%) (%) A 43.5397.1 B 53.9 350.1 C 50.6 401.4

TABLE 2 Test IL-6 production MCP-1 production compound (%) (%) A 74.461.7 B 78.7 63.9

TABLE 3 Test IL-6 production MCP-1 production compound (%) (%) A 78.472.2 C 81 72.1

Pharmacological Experimental Example 4 Action on Cerebral InfarctionVolume in Rat Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion-Reperfusion Model

The middle cerebral artery of male Wistar rats (Japan Laboratory AnimalsInc.) was obstructed with suture (silicon-coated nylon thread), andsaline (Vehicle, n=7), test compound A (10 mg/kg, n=6) dissolved insaline, test compound B (10% mg/kg, n=7) dissolved in saline, and testcompound C (10 mg/kg, n=7) dissolved in saline were each intravenouslyadministered in 30 min after occlusion and the artery was reperfused in90 min after occlusion. The brain was isolated 24 hr later. A 2 mm brainstrip was prepared, and the strip was stained with PBS (pH 7.4, 37° C.)containing 1% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC, Wako PureChemical Industries, Ltd.). The cerebral infarction area was measured byimage analysis and the cerebral infarction volume was calculated.

As a result, compound A, compound B and compound C suppressed cerebralinfarction volume by 42.5%, 17.8% and 43.2%, respectively [FIG. 7].

Pharmacological Experimental Example 5 Evaluation of Bioavailability inRat

Test compound A, test compound B and test compound C were each dissolvedin 0.5% aqueous HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) solution in thecase of oral administration, or in saline in the case of intravenousadministration, and they were orally or intravenously administered tomale SD(IGS) rats (Charles River Laboratories Japan) by 3 mg/kg. Theconcentration of unchanged drug in the plasma of each rat was measured,and bioavailability (F(%)) was calculated (F(%)=(AUC_(0-∞,p.o.)/AUC_(0-∞,i.v.,mean))×(Dose_(i.v.)/Dose_(p.o.))×100).The test compound was administered by gavage using an oral gavage needle(p.o.), or administered in the tail vein (i.v.). The blood samples werecollected at 15 and 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hr after administrationin the case of oral administration, and 5 and 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and24 hr after administration in the case of intravenous administration.

The results are shown in Tables 4 (test compound A), 5 (test compound B)and 6 (test compound C). The Cmax values for i.v. in Tables 4, 5 and 6show plasma concentration at 5 min after administration.

Cmax by oral administration of test compound A, test compound B and testcompound C was 1459.7 ng/mL, 470.8 ng/mL and 2003.0 ng/mL, respectively,and the bioavailability was 104.3%, 75.5% and 80.7%, respectively.

TABLE 4 Compound A: Mean + SD, n = 3 AUC_(0-24 h) AUC_(0-∞) Dose C_(max)(ng/mL) (ngh/mL) (ngh/mL) F¹⁾ (%) 3 mg/ 1459.7 ± 262.7 4032.9 ± 501.84008.2 ± 491.5 104.3 ± 12.8 kg p.o. 3 mg/ 2219.9 ± 103.8²⁾  3850 ± 78.43841.3 ± 77.4  — kg i.v. ¹⁾F (%) = (AUC_(0-∞,p.o.)/AUC_(0-∞,i.v.,mean))× (Dose_(i.v.)/Dose_(p.o.)) × 100 ²⁾C_(5 min)

TABLE 5 Compound B: Mean + SD, n = 4 AUC_(0-last) AUC_(0-∞) Dose C_(max)(ng/mL) (ngh/mL) (ngh/mL) F¹⁾ (%) 3 mg/kg  470.8 ± 154.4 1082.8 ± 171.11105.7 ± 170.8 75.5 ± 11.6 p.o. 3 mg/kg 1604.6 ± 58.3²⁾ 1449.8 ± 123.31464.6 ± 122.3 — i.v. ¹⁾F (%) = (AUC_(0-∞,p.o.)/AUC_(0-∞,i.v.,mean)) ×(Dose_(i.v.)/Dose_(p.o.)) × 100 ²⁾C_(5 min)

TABLE 6 Compound C: Mean + SD, n = 4 AUC_(0-last) AUC_(0-∞) Dose C_(max)(ng/mL) (ngh/mL) (ngh/mL) F¹⁾ (%) 3 mg/kg p.o.   2003 ± 338.3  8192.2 ±3114.3  8434.3 ± 2981.5 80.7 ± 28.5  3 mg/kg i.v. 4514.7 ± 358.6²⁾10173.6 ± 3012.9 10446.3 ± 2852.3 — ¹⁾F (%) =(AUC_(0-∞,p.o.)/AUC_(0-∞,i.v.,mean)) × (Dose_(i.v.)/Dose_(p.o.)) × 100²⁾C_(5 min)

Pharmacological Experimental Example 6 Evaluation of IntracerebralTransitivity in Rat

The test compound A dissolved in 0.5% aqueous HPMC solution was orallyadministered at 30 mg/kg, and test compound B and test compound Cdissolved in 0.5% aqueous HPMC solution were each orally administered at3 mg/kg to SD(IGS) rats (Charles River Laboratories Japan). At 1 hr and4 hr after the administration of the test compound, blood samples werecollected, and the brain (cerebral•cerebellum) was isolated. The plasmaconcentration and intracerebral concentration of each test compound weremeasured, and the ratio (Kp value) thereof was calculated, based onwhich the intracerebral transitivity was evaluated.

As a result, it was confirmed that test compound A, test compound B andtest compound C were intracerebrally transferred. The Kp value of eachtest compound at 1 hr and 4 hr after administration was 0.5 and 0.5,respectively, for test compound A, 0.8 and 1.3, respectively, for testcompound B and 0.8 and 0.9, respectively, for test compound C.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, a novel therapeutic drug forcerebral infarction can be provided, which suppresses production ofplural inflammatory cytokines present in the brain. Particularly, in thepresent invention, the brain injury volume of a monkey middle cerebralartery permanent occlusion model was noninvasively measured by MRI anddetailed neurological deficit (higher brain function) was measured overtime as shown in Pharmacological Experimental Example 2, based on whichthe effectiveness of the above-mentioned compound as a therapeutic drugfor cerebral infarction was demonstrated. In general clinicalsituations, the pathology is measured and scored by evaluation ofcerebral infarction by MRI along with incorporation of various indices.In the aforementioned anti-cytokine antibodies and inhibitors, however,measurement in a phenyltetrazolium chloride (hereinafter TTC) stain, andobservation of a simple neurological score (Bederson method, paralysis)were only performed with regard to the action on cerebral infarctionvolume in animal experiments, and accurate clinical prediction ofpathological improvement has not been provided. In contrast, atherapeutic drug for cerebral infarction, which is predicted to show ahigh clinical effect, has been provided in the present invention. Thetherapeutic drug for cerebral infarction of the present invention canalso be provided as a therapeutic drug for inflammatory diseasesrelating to the brain and spinal cord, such as encephalitis andencephalomyelitis (encephalomyelitis and other diseases caused by nerveinflammation inclusive of infections and autoimmune diseases).

While the present invention has been described in detail by referring toa particular pathology, it is, however, clear to those of ordinary skillin the art that various modifications and changes can be made withoutdeparting from the intention and scope of the present invention.

This application is based on a patent application No. 2007-137504 filedin Japan (filing date: May 24, 2007), the contents of which areincorporated in full herein by this reference.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A piperazine compound represented byformula <3>

wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different and each is hydrogen,halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, amino, nitro, hydroxy, cyano oramino which is mono- or di-substituted by at least one functional groupselected from the group consisting of lower alkyl and lower acyl, R³, R⁴and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen, loweralkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino, hydroxy, cyano or amino which ismono- or di-substituted by at least one functional group selected fromthe group consisting of lower alkyl and lower acyl, R⁶ and R⁷ are thesame or different and each is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylsubstituted by 1 to 3 halogens, aralkyl, acyl or lower acyl substitutedby 1 to 3 halogens, R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different and each ishydrogen or lower alkyl, any two of R^(1a)-R^(1d) are bonded to eachother to form alkylene having a carbon number of 1-2, and othersubstituents are the same or different and each is hydrogen, loweralkyl, aralkyl or hydroxy lower alkyl, Y is a group represented byformula

wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are the same or different and each is hydrogen orlower alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ are the same or different and each is hydrogenor lower alkyl, or R¹² and R¹³ are groups that form alkylene incombination, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogenor lower alkyl, m is an integer of 0-2, n is an integer of 0-2, and0≦m+n≦2, and ring A is pyrimidyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.
 2. The piperazine compound according to claim 1, which isN-[1-(4-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamideor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. A method of treating acerebral infarction, the method comprising administering to a subject inneed thereof an effective amount of a piperazine compound represented byformula <1>

wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different and each is hydrogen,halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, amino, nitro, hydroxy, cyano oramino which is mono- or di-substituted by at least one functional groupselected from the group consisting of lower alkyl and lower acyl, R³, R⁴and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen, loweralkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino, hydroxy, cyano or amino which ismono- or di-substituted by at least one functional group selected fromthe group consisting of lower alkyl and lower acyl, R⁶ and R⁷ are thesame or different and each is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylsubstituted by 1 to 3 halogens, aralkyl, acyl or lower acyl substitutedby 1 to 3 halogens, R⁸, R⁹ are the same or different and each ishydrogen or lower alkyl, R^(a)-R^(d) are the same or different and eachis hydrogen, lower alkyl, aralkyl or hydroxy lower alkyl, or any two ofR^(a)-R^(d) are bonded to each other to form alkylene having a carbonnumber of 1 or 2, Y is a group represented by the formula

wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are the same or different and each is hydrogen orlower alkyl, R¹² and R¹³ are the same or different and each is hydrogenor lower alkyl, or R¹² and R¹³ are groups that form alkylene incombination, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogenor lower alkyl, and m is an integer of 0-2, n is an integer of 0-2 and0≦m+n≦2, ring A is pyrimidiyl, and ring B is phenyl, and wherein any twoof R^(a)-R^(d) are bonded to each other to form alkylene having a carbonnumber of 1 or 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. Themethod of treating a cerebral infarction according to claim 3, whereinthe piperazine compound isN-[1-(4-{[(1S,4S)-5-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]methyl}phenyl)cyclopropyl]acetamide,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. The method accordingto claim 3, wherein the piperazine compound is a compound of formula <1>wherein R¹ and R² are hydrogen, R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or differentand each is hydrogen, halogen or lower alkoxy, R⁶ and R⁷ are the same ordifferent and each is hydrogen or acyl, R⁸ and R⁹ are the same ordifferent and each is hydrogen or lower alkyl, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are hydrogen,R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are hydrogen, any two of R^(a), R^(b), R^(c) and R^(d) arebonded to each other to form alkylene having a carbon number of 1 andother groups are hydrogen, ring A is pyrimidyl, and ring B is phenyl, ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. The method according toclaim 3, wherein the piperazine compound is a compound of formula <1>wherein R¹² and R¹³ are groups that form alkylene in combination, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. The method according toclaim 3, wherein the cerebral infarction is atherothrombotic braininfarction, lacunar infarction or cardioembolic stroke.
 8. Thepiperazine compound according to claim 1, which is represented byformula <5>

wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different and each is hydrogen,halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, amino, nitro, hydroxy, cyano oramino which is mono- or di-substituted by at least one functional groupselected from the group consisting of lower alkyl and lower acyl, R³, R⁴and R⁵ are the same or different and each is hydrogen, halogen, loweralkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino, hydroxy, cyano or amino which ismono- or di-substituted by at least one functional group selected fromthe group consisting of lower alkyl and lower acyl, R⁶ is acyl or loweracyl substituted by 1 to 3 halogens, and any two of R^(1a)-R^(1d) arebonded to each other to form alkylene having a carbon number of 1-2, andother substituents are the same or different and each is hydrogen, loweralkyl, aralkyl or hydroxy lower alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.
 9. The method of treating a cerebral infarction accordingto claim 3, wherein the piperazine compound is also effective forsuppressing production of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, and chemokineMCP-1, and promoting production of IL-10.